"Soon I shall hope to see you at Belle Plain, Mr.
Carrington," she added graciously.
"Thank you, your--your family--" he hesitated.
"There's only just Tom--he's my half-brother.

My mother was left a widow when I was a baby.

Later, some years after, she married Tom's father." "Oh--then he's not even your half-brother ?" "He's no relation at all--and much older.

When Tom's father died my mother made Tom, manager, and still later he was appointed my guardian." "Then you own Belle Plain ?" and Carrington sighed.
"Yes.

You have never seen it ?--it's right on the river, you know ?" then Betty's face grew sober: "Tom's dreadfully queer--I expect he'll require a lot of managing!" "I reckon you'll be equal to that!" said-Carrington, convinced of Betty's all-compelling charm.
"No, I'm not at all certain about Tom--I can see where we shall have serious differences; but then, I shan't have to struggle single-handed with him long; a cousin of my mother's is coming to Belle Plain to make her home with me--she'll make' him behave," and Betty laughed maliciously.